Barrett's esophagus surveillance: When, how often, does it work?

Barrett's esophagus is a well-known risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Current practice guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance of patients with Barrett's esophagus in an attempt to detect cancer at an early and potentially curable stage. This review addresses the rationale behind surveillance and criteria for inclusion of patients in surveillance programs as well as the appropriate technique and intervals that should be used. This work addresses other key topics in Barrett's esophagus surveillance, including the efficacy of surveillance programs, physician compliance with surveillance guidelines, cost-effectiveness of surveillance programs, and areas for future research.